Liverpool were 1-0 victors in the second and final Merseyside derby of the season, with Curtis Jones playing at right-back against Everton.

Arne Slot sprang a surprise on supporters and pundits by naming the England international in defence, with Jones playing at right-back for the first time in his career with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley both out injured.

With Jones admitting that Slot convinced him to play at right-back in the build-up to last night’s match, the Liverpool academy graduate gave a solid account of himself playing in a new position, giving the Reds a new option between now and the end of the season.

Yet despite a strong showing in an unfamiliar role, Gary Neville had some pointers for Jones after the full-time whistle had blown.

‘I’m going to be quite ruthless…’: Neville on Curtis Jones’s chance of being a Liverpool right back	Curtis Jones reacts to playing as right-back against Everton	'He said': Curtis Jones shares how Arne Slot 'sold' him on playing right-back against Everton last night

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Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast, the pundit noted that Jones’ future as a right-back could already be in doubt if the midfielder plays a top side as a fullback, with Neville unsure if the England international has what it tales to play the role against a Real Madrid or a Manchester City.

Neville said: “I’m going to be quite ruthless here, there’s no doubt that there are games where Curtis Jones could play right-back, but I think he may play Quansah on Sunday at Fulham purely because it’s away from home and the away of doing a lot more defending, you’re going to get a lot more pressure.

“But I think the idea that Curtis Jones can play fullback remains to be seen, because if he’s playing against PSG or the top teams, you will get found out if you’re not competent defensively.

I know there’s a feeling in football that everyone can play right-back, but I’m going to push back a little bit and say it’s more challenging when it comes to the big games and playing against fantastic players.

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“Will he be able to play at the Bernabeu and play against Real Madrid or City away or United away?

He can work on it, but let’s see.”

With Alexander-Arnold and Bradley currently unavailable, Liverpool need a player at right-back who Slot can rely upon for the next few games as the Reds look to win the Premier League title in their next four games.

And Jones could just be that player, with the midfielder giving a great account of himself last night against Everton in a game that Liverpool knew they had to be solid at the back and to get the three points at all costs.

Indeed, Jarell Quansah might be better suited in some upcoming games for Liverpool, but against teams Slot’s men are likely to dominate possession, Jones is the more sensible option for the right-back position.


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